School takes practice to injured QB

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Damien Memorial School quarterback Alan Mohika is recovering at the Queen's Medical Center from a severe concussion suffered in a game last Friday night. He cannot be at practice, so the school is taking practice to him … via the internet.

"We're playing for you Alan," a group of players said while standing in front of a camera next to the campus football field. Their messages of encouragement and support were streamed live on the school web site and on www.hictv.com (Hawaii Catholic Television) so Mohika could watch from his hospital bed.

"We're also recording it for future use so we can keep it posted up there so whenever Alan is feeling down and out he could go back to the recording and he can see all his buddies out there praying for him," said John Fielding, who operates Hawaii Catholic Television from two rooms on the Damien campus.

Players, coaches, and friends are not just praying for Mohika. They have set up an account at First Hawaiian Bank where people can contribute to help with Mohika's medical and rehabilitation expenses. Beginning Wednesday donations to the Alan Mohika Fund can be made at any branch of First Hawaiian Bank.

Mohika is a senior. The injury has ended his high school football career. His final play, the play in which he was hurt, was a touchdown pass to sophomore Syles Choy. Now Choy will move from slot-back to quarterback as Mohika's replacement. Choy told Hawaii News Now he draws inspiration from Mohika.

"I pray for him every night. I think about him every day, every second. Every time I run out here I run harder, thinking about him, that's why," Choy explained.

"I have the utmost confidence in him (Choy), as does the team. I think everybody is backing him up because as soon as Alan went down … if you watch the game … Syles did a really good job considering it was his first time there as a Sophomore on the varsity level. I think he did a great job," said Damien Head Coach Eddie Klaneski.

The team is hoping their fallen QB can be back at practice in person soon, if only to watch. Mohika is said to be making a steady recovery.

"The difference between seeing him on Saturday compared to today is day and night. I mean he was in bed Saturday. Now he can stand up at least and have cordial conversations," said Father Marvin Bearis, Damien Chaplin and Campus Minister.